Story: Fire and agriculture

Burning the bush, Taranaki

Burning the bush, Taranaki

William Strutt’s 1856 painting portrays the drama of burning New Zealand’s native bush. Men with torches are setting alight the felled understorey, while the fire is already leaping into the crowns of the trees left standing.

Using this item

Alexander Turnbull Library
Reference: E-453-f-008
Wash drawing by William Strutt

Permission of the Alexander Turnbull Library, National Library of New Zealand, Te Puna Mātauranga o Aotearoa, must be obtained before any re-use of this image.

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How to cite this page:

Robert Peden, 'Fire and agriculture - North Island farms: bush and fern', Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/en/artwork/15211/burning-the-bush-taranaki (accessed 20 April 2024)

Story by Robert Peden, published 24 Nov 2008